[Ciexyz]

RE: Post 141, thanks for the tip on the Joshua Chamberlain book, I’ll do a search for it. Another excellent book dealing with Civil War generals is Last in Their Class: Custer, Pickett and the Goats of West Point by James S. Robbins, (2006) who also did a bio of Custer. I’ve read a number of Custer bios over the years, also bios of Alexander the Great, they’ve all added a new spin to the life of these noteworthy figures.

[mairdie]

https://www.amazon.com/Passing-Armies-Account-Campaign-Potomac/dp/0553299921

https://www.amazon.com/Bayonet-Forward-Civil-War-Reminiscences/dp/1879664216/ref=pd_sbs_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1879664216&pd_rd_r=N4E86VRP7JE94672WKZS&pd_rd_w=6wWMN&pd_rd_wg=m8r8Q&psc=1&refRID=N4E86VRP7JE94672WKZS

I thought I remembered finding his original book in Google books, but all I’m finding now are new versions.

His writing is inspired, spine chilling and to be read over and over again for the beauty of the language and the goodness of his soul.

I especially remember a part when he’s marching in the final parade and leaves his men for the reviewing stand. He’s thinking how he sees so many more people than the people around him see, because he sees the ones who are now gone. The man is simply amazing.

[mairdie]

And then there's the diary of Alexander the Great that Henry Livingston found in his attic in 1793.

Journal of an Asiatic Expedition attempted by me, Alexander the son of Olympia, (and perhaps the son of Philip.)

446th Olympiad, June 23. Eight o'clock in the evening. Confoundedly tired with marching through this sun-burnt oriental country. A puddle of fresh water is a natural curiosity, and my canteen is half full of sediment. But the hope of filling our knapsacks with Persian gold keeps us from repining. ...